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Chicago is the third largest city in the United States. The Chicago–Naperville–Joliet metropolitan area is also the third largest metropolitan area in the United States. As with other large metropolitan areas, the Chicago metropolitan area has a tremendous concentration of wealth and commerce. The Chicago metropolitan area is home to over thirty-five Fortune 1000 company headquarters. There are approximately 100 corporate headquarters located in and around Chicago.
Chicago is one of eleven U.S. global cities, also known as world cities or world-class cities, according to the Globalization and World Cities Study Group & Network. It is ranked as an "Alpha World City". Chicago is one of only three US "Alpha" world cities (the others being Los Angeles and New York). According to Wikipedia, "A... world city... is a city that has a direct and tangible effect on global affairs through socioeconomic, cultural, and/or political means."
Chicago is very centrally located making it an ideal distribution and shipping hub. 50% of all of North American industry is within a one day truck drive of Chicago, and 75% all North American consumers are less than two days away from Chicago. For these reasons, 45% of all available industrial real estate is devoted to warehousing and distribution. According to World Business Chicago, Chicago is the number one distribution center (number one in truck, intermodal, rail, and air distribution) in the United States.
Major industries in the Chicago metropolitan area include:
Chicago is also home to four major financial and futures exchanges, including the Chicago Stock Exchange, the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT), the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (Merc), as well as the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago (the Seventh District of the Federal Reserve).
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Chicago ranks ninth on the list of US cities who receive the most annual funding from the NIH.
Some major companies of note in and around Chicago include:
Some of the major business organizations in and around Chicago include:
Crain's Chicago Business, Chicago Business, and the Business Section of the Chicago Tribune are excellent sources of information on business in the Chicago metropolitan area.
| Rank | Title | Local Jobs | Local Mean Salary | Typical Local Salary | National Growth % 2006-2016 | National % With College Degree |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Registered nurses | 71,170 | 67,740 | $46,320 - 93,060 | 24% | 56% |
| 2 | Elementary school teachers, except special education | 50,050 | 63,980 | $35,050 - 99,820 | 14% | 95% |
| 3 | Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products | 46,890 | 70,900 | $29,830 - 127,840 | 8% | 51% |
| 4 | Accountants and auditors | 37,770 | 70,730 | $40,700 - 106,360 | 18% | 79% |
| 5 | Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education | 36,260 | 77,340 | $44,060 - 118,740 | 6% | 96% |
| 6 | Managers, all other | 33,780 | 103,060 | $49,100 - | 7% | 55% |
| 7 | Lawyers | 25,350 | 142,780 | $64,900 - | 11% | 99% |
| 8 | Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education | 19,200 | 65,040 | $36,840 - 99,210 | 11% | 95% |
| 9 | Management analysts | 19,060 | 91,320 | $39,170 - 161,640 | 22% | 78% |
| 10 | Computer programmers | 17,030 | 78,130 | $46,550 - 119,950 | 0% | 73% |
| 11 | Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products | 16,580 | 71,920 | $34,880 - 118,340 | 12% | 51% |
| 12 | Financial managers | 16,140 | 123,390 | $64,750 - | 13% | 60% |
| 13 | Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents | 15,380 | 90,940 | $34,760 - | 25% | 67% |
| 14 | Computer software engineers, systems software | 14,800 | 91,370 | $47,100 - 131,650 | 28% | 85% |
| 15 | Computer software engineers, applications | 14,140 | 88,330 | $52,600 - 129,350 | 45% | 85% |
| 16 | Sales managers | 12,900 | 110,530 | $45,930 - | 10% | 69% |
| 17 | Computer systems analysts | 12,330 | 81,420 | $52,710 - 118,680 | 29% | 68% |
| 18 | Market research analysts | 11,520 | 61,540 | $29,250 - 102,510 | 20% | 82% |
| 19 | Network and computer systems administrators | 11,170 | 75,000 | $45,070 - 106,640 | 27% | 50% |
| 20 | Financial analysts | 11,110 | 93,910 | $42,970 - | 34% | 87% |
| 21 | Chief executives | 10,160 | 171,670 | $78,430 - | 2% | 65% |
| 22 | Computer and information systems managers | 9,710 | 119,860 | $65,660 - | 16% | 73% |
| 23 | Computer specialists, all other | 9,490 | 75,440 | $40,250 - 113,730 | 15% | 68% |
| 24 | Education, training, and library workers, all other | 9,310 | 47,160 | $16,290 - 99,980 | 11% | 79% |
| 25 | Financial specialists, all other | 8,190 | 76,570 | $31,650 - 140,560 | 12% | 50% |
| 26 | Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists | 8,000 | 65,670 | $28,040 - 147,230 | 18% | 56% |
| 27 | Graphic designers | 7,500 | 49,830 | $28,090 - 75,590 | 10% | 55% |
| 28 | Child, family, and school social workers | 7,270 | 57,790 | $30,500 - 93,340 | 19% | 77% |
| 29 | Education administrators, elementary and secondary school | 7,140 | 115,030 | $63,910 - 164,380 | 8% | 78% |
| 30 | Engineers, all other | 6,960 | 88,270 | $51,290 - 133,610 | 6% | 82% |
| 31 | Social and human service assistants | 6,900 | 29,170 | $17,200 - 43,570 | 34% | 58% |
| 32 | Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other | 6,670 | 55,050 | $16,080 - 93,700 | 17% | 56% |
| 33 | Pharmacists | 6,330 | 99,370 | $68,980 - 129,870 | 22% | 97% |
| 34 | Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers | 6,070 | 124,930 | $58,120 - | 13% | 74% |
| 35 | Sales and related workers, all other | 5,970 | 43,050 | $16,170 - 79,690 | 14% | 62% |
| 36 | Marketing managers | 5,850 | 117,360 | $59,720 - | 14% | 69% |
| 37 | Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation | 5,690 | 54,490 | $29,270 - 90,250 | 5% | 58% |
| 38 | Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school | 5,610 | 57,680 | $31,310 - 93,140 | 20% | 87% |
| 39 | Training and development specialists | 5,490 | 57,250 | $28,980 - 89,530 | 18% | 56% |
| 40 | Network systems and data communications analysts | 5,420 | 74,680 | $43,580 - 112,980 | 53% | 57% |
| 41 | Educational, vocational, and school counselors | 5,370 | 70,420 | $32,630 - 121,200 | 13% | 73% |
| 42 | Insurance underwriters | 5,320 | 70,790 | $38,860 - 111,010 | 6% | 53% |
| 43 | Medical and health services managers | 5,260 | 87,430 | $48,440 - 136,830 | 16% | 57% |
| 44 | Public relations specialists | 5,180 | 57,360 | $29,140 - 95,250 | 18% | 81% |
| 45 | Mechanical engineers | 5,150 | 75,990 | $47,630 - 109,840 | 4% | 78% |
| 46 | Librarians | 5,050 | 64,420 | $35,400 - 102,870 | 4% | 85% |
| 47 | Civil engineers | 5,010 | 79,140 | $48,090 - 114,830 | 18% | 87% |
| 48 | Editors | 4,770 | 56,690 | $35,450 - 85,320 | 2% | 81% |
| 49 | Engineering managers | 4,680 | 113,400 | $66,280 - 162,980 | 7% | 84% |
| 50 | Advertising sales agents | 4,670 | 55,920 | $22,460 - 96,790 | 20% | 56% |
| 51 | Industrial engineers | 4,600 | 74,780 | $45,130 - 106,980 | 20% | 74% |
| 52 | Physical therapists | 4,540 | 82,810 | $53,600 - 120,290 | 27% | 89% |
| 53 | Speech-language pathologists | 4,460 | 68,060 | $36,310 - 101,870 | 11% | 98% |
| 54 | Architects, except landscape and naval | 4,450 | 73,130 | $40,240 - 116,920 | 18% | 88% |
| 55 | Medical and clinical laboratory technicians | 4,190 | 40,040 | $25,420 - 61,390 | 15% | 51% |
| 56 | Medical and clinical laboratory technologists | 3,850 | 51,370 | $29,750 - 68,450 | 12% | 51% |
| 57 | Database administrators | 3,810 | 75,120 | $44,440 - 114,810 | 29% | 72% |
| 58 | Personal financial advisors | 3,690 | 95,690 | $37,650 - | 41% | 81% |
| 59 | Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists | 3,660 | 61,880 | $40,020 - 87,290 | 18% | 56% |
| 60 | Electrical engineers | 3,640 | 85,460 | $56,190 - 120,680 | 6% | 81% |
| 61 | Coaches and scouts | 3,630 | 35,250 | $15,880 - 61,420 | 15% | 60% |
| 62 | Healthcare practitioners and technical workers, all other | 3,610 | 51,270 | $27,380 - 95,050 | 15% | 72% |
| 63 | Social workers, all other | 3,570 | 53,690 | $30,770 - 78,970 | 18% | 77% |
| 64 | Instructional coordinators | 3,390 | 56,760 | $30,090 - 93,390 | 23% | 79% |
| 65 | Mental health counselors | 3,210 | 41,840 | $26,000 - 61,330 | 30% | 73% |
| 66 | Community and social service specialists, all other | 3,170 | 39,210 | $19,110 - 67,320 | 25% | 58% |
| 67 | Dentists, general | 3,060 | 152,290 | $73,600 - | 9% | 100% |
| 68 | Electronics engineers, except computer | 3,000 | 85,000 | $56,050 - 121,570 | 4% | 81% |
| 69 | Occupational therapists | 2,840 | 74,560 | $39,020 - 105,630 | 23% | 90% |
| 70 | Special education teachers, middle school | 2,820 | 58,100 | $39,680 - 78,950 | 16% | 87% |
| 71 | Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists | 2,790 | 73,170 | $35,200 - 121,240 | 16% | 99% |
| 72 | Credit analysts | 2,700 | 72,130 | $37,010 - 121,710 | 2% | 60% |
| 73 | Physicists | 2,670 | 118,810 | $71,200 - | 7% | 95% |
| 74 | Human resources managers, all other | 2,630 | 108,230 | $55,990 - | 11% | 58% |
| 75 | Mental health and substance abuse social workers | 2,610 | 40,510 | $25,870 - 60,020 | 30% | 77% |
| 76 | Special education teachers, secondary school | 2,570 | 72,640 | $39,720 - 117,220 | 9% | 87% |
| 77 | Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors | 2,410 | 36,540 | $21,210 - 58,360 | 34% | 73% |
| 78 | Medical and public health social workers | 2,310 | 55,590 | $29,920 - 81,200 | 24% | 77% |
| 79 | Tax preparers | 2,260 | 36,610 | $17,630 - 57,950 | 0% | 54% |
| 80 | Social and community service managers | 2,210 | 59,580 | $34,000 - 89,160 | 25% | 72% |
| 81 | Interior designers | 2,210 | 51,980 | $30,040 - 80,420 | 20% | 55% |
| 82 | Meeting and convention planners | 2,110 | 51,330 | $29,130 - 78,550 | 20% | 67% |
| 83 | Purchasing managers | 2,050 | 88,180 | $47,180 - 132,730 | 3% | 57% |
| 84 | Advertising and promotions managers | 1,980 | 88,840 | $44,380 - 151,450 | 6% | 76% |
| 85 | Detectives and criminal investigators | 1,980 | 75,930 | $49,600 - 101,900 | 17% | 54% |
| 86 | Legislators | 1,810 | 40,200 | $15,660 - 100,470 | 1% | 65% |
| 87 | Education administrators, postsecondary | 1,800 | 98,180 | $41,090 - | 14% | 78% |
| 88 | Rehabilitation counselors | 1,740 | 39,490 | $25,440 - 63,400 | 23% | 73% |
| 89 | Chemists | 1,630 | 70,000 | $39,570 - 108,500 | 9% | 93% |
| 90 | Budget analysts | 1,580 | 79,670 | $48,890 - 110,900 | 7% | 78% |
| 91 | Public relations managers | 1,550 | 95,230 | $47,440 - 163,970 | 17% | 75% |
| 92 | Operations research analysts | 1,540 | 71,160 | $46,170 - 102,650 | 11% | 71% |
| 93 | Merchandise displayers and window trimmers | 1,510 | 29,430 | $18,090 - 40,920 | 11% | 55% |
| 94 | Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists | 1,480 | 56,570 | $43,570 - 76,550 | 11% | 58% |
| 95 | Compensation and benefits managers | 1,470 | 85,450 | $52,300 - 131,160 | 12% | 58% |
| 96 | Environmental engineers | 1,450 | 79,140 | $31,120 - 112,320 | 25% | 86% |
| 97 | Surveyors | 1,450 | 65,880 | $36,210 - 96,760 | 24% | 82% |
| 98 | Reporters and correspondents | 1,430 | 42,700 | $16,310 - 82,280 | 1% | 85% |
| 99 | Environmental scientists and specialists, including health | 1,410 | 75,160 | $42,130 - 115,030 | 25% | 93% |
| 100 | Therapists, all other | 1,390 | 44,750 | $20,550 - 67,680 | 10% | 83% |
| Rank | Title | Local Jobs | Local Mean Salary | Typical Local Salary | National Growth % 2006-2016 | National % With College Degree |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Retail salespersons | 122,290 | 25,390 | $16,200 - 38,890 | 12% | 25% |
| 2 | Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand | 86,210 | 25,200 | $16,190 - 39,160 | 2% | 5% |
| 3 | Cashiers | 85,350 | 19,510 | $15,930 - 25,050 | -2% | 10% |
| 4 | Office clerks, general | 72,040 | 28,300 | $16,660 - 41,140 | 13% | 19% |
| 5 | Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners | 66,920 | 26,330 | $16,460 - 39,670 | 15% | 4% |
| 6 | Customer service representatives | 65,970 | 36,960 | $21,920 - 57,280 | 25% | 22% |
| 7 | Business operations specialists, all other | 64,450 | 65,650 | $26,080 - 118,070 | 21% | 49% |
| 8 | Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food | 55,230 | 18,020 | $15,860 - 21,280 | 18% | 5% |
| 9 | Stock clerks and order fillers | 53,210 | 22,930 | $16,240 - 33,070 | -7% | 8% |
| 10 | Waiters and waitresses | 49,840 | 20,920 | $15,850 - 32,490 | 11% | 14% |
| 11 | Executive secretaries and administrative assistants | 49,430 | 46,500 | $29,600 - 65,830 | 15% | 18% |
| 12 | Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks | 43,780 | 36,800 | $23,810 - 51,300 | 13% | 16% |
| 13 | Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive | 41,980 | 32,780 | $20,410 - 47,690 | 1% | 18% |
| 14 | Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer | 38,880 | 45,250 | $29,830 - 63,280 | 10% | 4% |
| 15 | Security guards | 38,420 | 25,630 | $17,340 - 37,100 | 17% | 13% |
| 16 | Packers and packagers, hand | 38,360 | 21,290 | $16,040 - 30,880 | -11% | 3% |
| 17 | General and operations managers | 37,750 | 125,540 | $56,220 - | 2% | 48% |
| 18 | Team assemblers | 36,650 | 24,990 | $16,080 - 37,720 | 0% | 5% |
| 19 | Construction laborers | 35,800 | 43,970 | $16,150 - 79,120 | 11% | 5% |
| 20 | Receptionists and information clerks | 34,660 | 27,590 | $18,210 - 38,270 | 17% | 13% |
| 21 | First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers | 34,320 | 56,260 | $30,820 - 84,550 | 6% | 29% |
| 22 | Food preparation workers | 32,880 | 20,290 | $16,030 - 26,030 | 15% | 7% |
| 23 | Maintenance and repair workers, general | 31,470 | 43,180 | $23,730 - 65,170 | 10% | 6% |
| 24 | Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants | 31,240 | 24,650 | $17,830 - 32,520 | 18% | 7% |
| 25 | First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers | 30,250 | 43,720 | $21,900 - 70,760 | 4% | 25% |
| 26 | Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks | 25,700 | 30,350 | $18,840 - 45,310 | 4% | 6% |
| 27 | Truck drivers, light or delivery services | 25,070 | 33,550 | $18,200 - 55,460 | 8% | 4% |
| 28 | Carpenters | 24,910 | 63,520 | $34,740 - 86,000 | 10% | 6% |
| 29 | Police and sheriff's patrol officers | 22,520 | 68,900 | $40,100 - 94,580 | 11% | 33% |
| 30 | Landscaping and groundskeeping workers | 22,260 | 26,650 | $17,270 - 37,910 | 18% | 6% |
| 31 | Teacher assistants | 22,150 | 23,050 | $16,100 - 32,020 | 10% | 18% |
| 32 | Office and administrative support workers, all other | 21,410 | 34,860 | $16,320 - 53,500 | -8% | 32% |
| 33 | Maids and housekeeping cleaners | 21,350 | 21,480 | $16,370 - 29,540 | 13% | 5% |
| 34 | First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers | 20,930 | 56,280 | $26,130 - 87,040 | -4% | 15% |
| 35 | Production workers, all other | 20,770 | 30,380 | $16,100 - 49,760 | 2% | 5% |
| 36 | Cooks, restaurant | 19,360 | 22,990 | $16,540 - 30,870 | 12% | 5% |
| 37 | Machinists | 19,120 | 37,310 | $20,120 - 56,150 | -2% | 3% |
| 38 | Industrial truck and tractor operators | 18,790 | 31,810 | $20,250 - 46,720 | -1% | 2% |
| 39 | Automotive service technicians and mechanics | 18,140 | 43,730 | $21,010 - 70,430 | 14% | 4% |
| 40 | Electricians | 18,100 | 69,640 | $43,330 - 89,020 | 7% | 7% |
| 41 | Tellers | 18,020 | 25,720 | $18,550 - 33,560 | 14% | 16% |
| 42 | Home health aides | 17,890 | 22,610 | $16,530 - 33,130 | 49% | 7% |
| 43 | Helpers--production workers | 17,750 | 22,390 | $16,040 - 32,570 | 0% | 4% |
| 44 | First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers | 17,710 | 33,800 | $20,410 - 50,270 | 11% | 14% |
| 45 | Sales representatives, services, all other | 17,660 | 67,020 | $27,610 - 125,900 | 28% | 48% |
| 46 | Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop | 15,420 | 18,310 | $15,600 - 23,660 | 10% | 8% |
| 47 | Cooks, fast food | 14,960 | 18,280 | $15,850 - 23,030 | 8% | 5% |
| 48 | Billing and posting clerks and machine operators | 14,960 | 35,310 | $24,380 - 48,320 | 4% | 15% |
| 49 | Computer support specialists | 14,530 | 52,820 | $31,020 - 80,250 | 13% | 43% |
| 50 | Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders | 14,520 | 25,750 | $16,260 - 40,230 | -4% | 5% |
| 51 | Bartenders | 14,260 | 21,510 | $15,900 - 32,570 | 11% | 17% |
| 52 | Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers | 14,080 | 19,190 | $15,920 - 24,820 | 12% | 6% |
| 53 | Bill and account collectors | 13,350 | 34,950 | $22,290 - 49,790 | 23% | 13% |
| 54 | Personal and home care aides | 13,310 | 19,590 | $16,050 - 24,870 | 51% | 10% |
| 55 | Dishwashers | 13,230 | 17,800 | $15,890 - 20,730 | 10% | 3% |
| 56 | Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters | 12,450 | 74,620 | $47,110 - 100,250 | 11% | 4% |
| 57 | Data entry keyers | 12,370 | 26,590 | $16,630 - 37,980 | -4% | 18% |
| 58 | Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers | 12,310 | 33,510 | $18,640 - 52,070 | -6% | 14% |
| 59 | Counter and rental clerks | 12,150 | 23,750 | $16,090 - 34,590 | 23% | 16% |
| 60 | Fire fighters | 12,090 | 55,980 | $23,150 - 87,310 | 12% | 18% |
| 61 | Loan officers | 12,080 | 68,110 | $30,070 - 114,360 | 12% | 49% |
| 62 | Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | 11,990 | 45,330 | $34,370 - 57,470 | 14% | 7% |
| 63 | Postsecondary teachers, all other | 11,300 | 78,130 | $16,220 - 154,040 | 0% | 0% |
| 64 | Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists | 11,160 | 26,920 | $16,200 - 42,110 | 12% | 6% |
| 65 | Bus drivers, school | 10,490 | 28,720 | $17,260 - 40,980 | 9% | 4% |
| 66 | Legal secretaries | 10,370 | 46,520 | $28,270 - 67,830 | 12% | 18% |
| 67 | Medical assistants | 10,290 | 31,000 | $22,220 - 41,390 | 35% | 10% |
| 68 | Assemblers and fabricators, all other | 10,020 | 30,490 | $15,990 - 57,150 | -8% | 5% |
| 69 | Postal service mail carriers | 9,990 | 1% | 11% | ||
| 70 | Pharmacy technicians | 9,700 | 28,950 | $21,480 - 38,550 | 32% | 16% |
| 71 | Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic | 9,590 | 30,430 | $17,840 - 47,070 | -14% | 0% |
| 72 | First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers | 9,510 | 70,730 | $41,560 - 103,790 | 7% | 13% |
| 73 | First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers | 9,350 | 89,210 | $40,980 - 161,790 | 4% | 38% |
| 74 | Medical secretaries | 9,260 | 36,600 | $24,040 - 52,220 | 17% | 18% |
| 75 | Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators | 9,220 | 66,790 | $37,560 - 100,710 | 9% | 47% |
| 76 | Child care workers | 9,080 | 23,190 | $16,170 - 31,700 | 18% | 15% |
| 77 | Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop | 8,810 | 20,050 | $16,020 - 24,980 | 10% | 17% |
| 78 | Recreation workers | 8,770 | 24,040 | $16,190 - 35,470 | 13% | 47% |
| 79 | Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors | 8,770 | 34,710 | $16,320 - 65,480 | 27% | 47% |
| 80 | Administrative services managers | 8,620 | 69,820 | $30,030 - 120,440 | 12% | 40% |
| 81 | Insurance sales agents | 8,590 | 68,550 | $27,300 - 136,080 | 13% | 45% |
| 82 | Flight attendants | 8,490 | 33,410 | $21,040 - 49,250 | 11% | 31% |
| 83 | Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers | 8,330 | 56,830 | $35,280 - 74,270 | 3% | 13% |
| 84 | Preschool teachers, except special education | 8,300 | 28,720 | $19,030 - 40,010 | 26% | 43% |
| 85 | Dental assistants | 8,230 | 32,810 | $23,850 - 42,340 | 29% | 9% |
| 86 | Postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators | 8,230 | -7% | 12% | ||
| 87 | Cleaners of vehicles and equipment | 8,220 | 22,140 | $16,020 - 32,450 | 14% | 3% |
| 88 | First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers | 8,130 | 82,750 | $47,700 - 114,070 | 9% | 10% |
| 89 | Healthcare support workers, all other | 8,090 | 33,650 | $20,790 - 48,440 | 16% | 10% |
| 90 | Production, planning, and expediting clerks | 7,980 | 45,410 | $26,260 - 65,920 | 4% | 30% |
| 91 | Cooks, institution and cafeteria | 7,690 | 25,460 | $17,770 - 34,890 | 11% | 5% |
| 92 | Printing machine operators | 7,470 | 33,050 | $18,240 - 53,860 | -5% | 6% |
| 93 | Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products | 7,390 | 61,520 | $35,960 - 93,710 | 0% | 42% |
| 94 | Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers | 7,360 | 35,580 | $20,740 - 55,590 | 5% | 2% |
| 95 | Motor vehicle operators, all other | 7,200 | 37,040 | $16,710 - 74,220 | 11% | 0% |
| 96 | Payroll and timekeeping clerks | 7,150 | 39,570 | $27,410 - 54,520 | 3% | 18% |
| 97 | Driver/sales workers | 7,100 | 35,890 | $16,280 - 60,490 | -4% | 4% |
| 98 | Physicians and surgeons, all other | 7,040 | 141,580 | $47,070 - | 0% | 0% |
| 99 | Order clerks | 6,950 | 32,320 | $18,690 - 48,010 | -23% | 16% |
| 100 | First-line supervisors/managers of helpers, laborers, and material movers, hand | 6,920 | 48,880 | $28,460 - 74,890 | 13% | 17% |
 | Chicago Colleges Chicago colleges and trade schools. |
| Chicago Graduate Schools Chicago Graduate and Business Schools |
 | Chicago Hotels & Travel Chicago hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation. |
 | Chicago Mortgage Chicago property, mortgage, and real estate. |
Schools with flexible schedules, simple applications, online info request forms, and rapid responses to requests for info.
(Also see all Illinois Colleges.)
* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0
| Title | Mean Local Salary | Local Jobs | Pop. vs. Avg.* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Railroad conductors and yardmasters | 57,630 | 160 | 28.2 |
| Railroad brake, signal, and switch operators | 57,170 | 380 | 24.9 |
| Rail transportation workers, all other | 400 | 22.1 | |
| Rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers | 32,740 | 440 | 16.3 |
| Musical instrument repairers and tuners | 44,800 | 350 | 14.9 |
| Rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators | 280 | 11.9 | |
| Physicists | 118,810 | 2,670 | 8.3 |
| Rail car repairers | 38,700 | 790 | 7.7 |
| Religious workers, all other | 38,500 | 450 | 7.3 |
| Forest and conservation workers | 46,640 | 180 | 7.1 |
| Door-to-door sales workers, news and street vendors, and related workers | 38,470 | 760 | 6.9 |
| Building cleaning workers, all other | 370 | 6.5 | |
| Flight attendants | 33,410 | 8,490 | 5.3 |
| Coil winders, tapers, and finishers | 26,910 | 1,550 | 5 |
| Orthotists and prosthetists | 70,620 | 170 | 4.9 |
| Model makers, metal and plastic | 52,780 | 450 | 4.9 |
| Therapists, all other | 44,750 | 1,390 | 4.8 |
| Sewers, hand | 23,750 | 370 | 4.8 |
| Airfield operations specialists | 390 | 4.8 | |
| Designers, all other | 67,680 | 960 | 4.7 |
| Shoe and leather workers and repairers | 25,600 | 280 | 4.7 |
| Food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders | 29,770 | 960 | 4.7 |
| Woodworkers, all other | 24,920 | 470 | 4.6 |
| Orthodontists | 195,690 | 140 | 4.4 |
| Education, training, and library workers, all other | 47,160 | 9,310 | 4.4 |
| Transportation attendants, except flight attendants and baggage porters | 19,060 | 2,100 | 4.4 |
| Food preparation and serving related workers, all other | 22,600 | 4,940 | 4.3 |
| Pump operators, except wellhead pumpers | 44,370 | 350 | 4.2 |
| Grounds maintenance workers, all other | 28,460 | 590 | 4.2 |
| Food cooking machine operators and tenders | 23,840 | 2,960 | 4.1 |
| Occupational therapist aides | 28,110 | 340 | 4.1 |
| Textile, apparel, and furnishings workers, all other | 24,930 | 620 | 4 |
| Materials scientists | 91,240 | 690 | 3.9 |
| Aircraft cargo handling supervisors | 51,550 | 340 | 3.8 |
| Archivists | 52,320 | 340 | 3.8 |
| Etchers and engravers | 33,580 | 480 | 3.7 |
| Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers | 124,930 | 6,070 | 3.6 |
| Locker room, coatroom, and dressing room attendants | 22,060 | 1,660 | 3.6 |
| Motor vehicle operators, all other | 37,040 | 7,200 | 3.5 |
| Cooks, all other | 27,150 | 920 | 3.5 |
| Agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes | 82,100 | 690 | 3.3 |
| Production workers, all other | 30,380 | 20,770 | 3.3 |
| Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic | 30,840 | 2,100 | 3.2 |
| Shampooers | 19,530 | 1,110 | 3.2 |
| Food scientists and technologists | 76,480 | 430 | 3.2 |
| Managers, all other | 103,060 | 33,780 | 3.1 |
| Social work teachers, postsecondary | 63,880 | 300 | 3 |
| Public address system and other announcers | 58,660 | 390 | 3 |
| Office and administrative support workers, all other | 34,860 | 21,410 | 3 |
| Patternmakers, metal and plastic | 38,340 | 170 | 2.8 |
* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0
| Title | Mean Local Salary | Salary Index * | Local Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helpers, construction trades, all other | 64,430 | 2.39 | 340 |
| Hazardous materials removal workers | 70,090 | 1.82 | 340 |
| Photographers | 56,060 | 1.78 | 1,860 |
| Pipelayers | 64,020 | 1.75 | 310 |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators | 74,650 | 1.74 | 6,430 |
| Construction and related workers, all other | 62,780 | 1.72 | 730 |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers | 65,420 | 1.7 | 2,050 |
| Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators | 60,340 | 1.67 | 520 |
| Glaziers | 66,010 | 1.67 | 980 |
| Structural iron and steel workers | 75,990 | 1.67 | 1,420 |
| Plasterers and stucco masons | 66,070 | 1.66 | 150 |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers | 61,340 | 1.66 | 4,430 |
| Stonemasons | 72,280 | 1.64 | 130 |
| Reinforcing iron and rebar workers | 68,450 | 1.62 | 1,120 |
| Carpenters | 63,520 | 1.62 | 24,910 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters | 74,620 | 1.62 | 12,450 |
| Public address system and other announcers | 58,660 | 1.58 | 390 |
| Tile and marble setters | 65,300 | 1.58 | 1,380 |
| Motion picture projectionists | 36,400 | 1.58 | 230 |
| First-line supervisors/managers of fire fighting and prevention workers | 103,780 | 1.56 | 2,460 |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons | 70,940 | 1.56 | 4,400 |
| Helpers--brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, and tile and marble setters | 45,930 | 1.55 | 1,040 |
| Sheet metal workers | 63,780 | 1.53 | 4,520 |
| Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators | 59,000 | 1.52 | 700 |
| Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education | 77,340 | 1.51 | 36,260 |
| Carpet installers | 63,370 | 1.5 | 1,570 |
| Tapers | 69,750 | 1.5 | 1,070 |
| Electricians | 69,640 | 1.49 | 18,100 |
| Painters, construction and maintenance | 50,790 | 1.48 | 6,330 |
| Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons | 35,610 | 1.47 | 280 |
| Agricultural equipment operators | 36,540 | 1.47 | 120 |
| Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door | 67,460 | 1.47 | 360 |
| Door-to-door sales workers, news and street vendors, and related workers | 38,470 | 1.45 | 760 |
| Electrical and electronics drafters | 76,810 | 1.45 | 580 |
| Water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators | 58,700 | 1.44 | 1,230 |
| Protective service workers, all other | 44,450 | 1.43 | 1,050 |
| Forest and conservation workers | 46,640 | 1.43 | 180 |
| First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers | 82,750 | 1.42 | 8,130 |
| Child, family, and school social workers | 57,790 | 1.42 | 7,270 |
| Police and sheriff's patrol officers | 68,900 | 1.42 | 22,520 |
| Construction laborers | 43,970 | 1.41 | 35,800 |
| Education administrators, elementary and secondary school | 115,030 | 1.41 | 7,140 |
| Special education teachers, secondary school | 72,640 | 1.41 | 2,570 |
| Designers, all other | 67,680 | 1.41 | 960 |
| Property, real estate, and community association managers | 75,210 | 1.41 | 3,600 |
| Riggers | 61,220 | 1.41 | 380 |
| Helpers--carpenters | 36,430 | 1.4 | 1,680 |
| Lawyers | 142,780 | 1.39 | 25,350 |
| Highway maintenance workers | 48,920 | 1.39 | 2,290 |
| Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators | 95,790 | 1.39 | 140 |
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